The London book festival season is just around the corner, offering three months of literary events for book lovers to look forward to. From West to East London, there are inspiring book festivals happening that are sure to satisfy our reading appetite.
The Queen’s Park Book Festival will kick off on 31st August and run through 1st September. This festival welcomes authors and readers to a weekend of events in marquees in the park. Visitors can expect to hear from renowned authors such as Alan Bennett, Mishal Husain, Michael Palin, and Elif Shafak. The festival also features the unique Queen’s Park Community Tent, dedicated to nurturing local talent and supporting local charities.
Moving on to the Chiswick Book Festival, taking place from 11th to 18th September. Described as London’s most literary borough by The Guardian, Chiswick has a rich literary history with numerous authors having lived or written in the area. This year’s festival will feature a diverse lineup of authors, including Clare Balding, Bill Wyman, Polly Toynbee, and Daisy Goodwin.
In Barnes, the Barnes Book Fest will be held from 20th to 22nd September, offering a weekend of writers, talks, and books in SW13. Attendees can look forward to hearing from notable personalities such as Gyles Brandreth, Miriam Margolyes, and Alistair McGowan.
The London Literature Festival on the Southbank will run from 23rd October to 2nd November. Established in 2007, this festival hosts well-known authors over ten days, featuring talks, discussions, and workshops. This year, British rapper Ghetts will co-curate the opening weekend, showcasing the best of London’s spoken word and music scene.
Wimbledon Book Fest will take place from 17th to 27th October across various venues in Wimbledon. Confirmed authors include Kate Mosse, Mary Berry, and Zandra Rhodes, among others.
Lastly, the Southeast London Book Fest will make its debut on 24th November. Organized by Peculiar Publications, this festival will bring together 50 authors over four weeks with a focus on local writers. Notable participants include BBC Radio 4 presenter Emma Barnett and her husband Jeremy Weil, as well as local foodies promoting their debut cookbooks.
These book festivals offer a wonderful opportunity for book enthusiasts to engage with their favorite authors, discover new literary talents, and celebrate the joy of reading. Whether you’re in the mood for thought-provoking discussions, inspiring talks, or simply want to immerse yourself in the world of books, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the London book festival season.
